Solara made it back to the kingdom but she was too late. Troops were already coming in from the horizon, the kingdom already having their guards and soldiers outside to defend their home. She landed right outside the castle, running up to the front lines where the king and the prince were standing. “Halt! Do not attack! Let me try and disperse the situation!”

The king pointed his sword at her. “Get out of here, witch! Why should we listen to the likes of you?”

“Father! Put the sword down!” Michael glared at him. “Solara, I told you to leave.”

“The army is led by my mother. I cannot let her destroy this place. Let me talk to her.”

Michael sighed and looked at his father. “Let her try. She is our only hope. It will be hard, if not impossible to defeat a witch. Especially if she has an army.”

“I will not-”

“Father! She had lived with us for years and never once tried to harm us! Have some trust in her!” Michael barked, irritated with his father. “Solara, go. If things do not turn out, we will be here to fight.”

She nodded her head, turning herself into a bird and flying off in the direction of the army heading their way.

When she arrived, she landed in front of her mother, turning back into her human form. Her mother looked exactly the same as she did the day she was taken away… She had so many emotions flowing through her. Anger, regret, love, fear… She had wanted to see her mother for so long and this was how she had to confront her.

“Mother, stop this. Do not attack the kingdom.” She swallowed, trying to hold back the tears she desperately wanted to release.

“Solara, dear… You have grown into a beautiful young woman. You are very smart… You should understand why I have to do this.” She smiled, reaching out to pat her daughter’s head but her hand was smacked away.

“I love that kingdom. I love the people in it, despite the fact they came after me when they found out I can use magic. I cannot let you do this.” She was shaking where she stood, wanting to run into her mother’s arms.

“I hate to say this, Solara, but nothing you can say will stop me. If you are going to stand in my way, I must treat you like any other member of the kingdom.” She raised her hand, her magic lifting Solara off the ground. Instead of sending her meters across the ground, she was thrown back to the front lines of the other army, rolling to a stop meters from them.

Michael quickly jumped off his horse, rushing to her side. “Solara! Are you hurt?!”

She sat up with a groan, looking up at her beloved prince. “I am-” She paused in shock, seeing a spear pierce her prince’s chest. She was silent as she heard yelling from the opposite direction. The war had begun.